Act I, Scene 1 1. How is Hippolyta’s reasoning concerning how quickly the next four days will pass different from that of Theseus?
Hippolyta says the days will pass fast, Thesus says they will pass slowly. "Four days will quickly steep themselves in night. Four nights shall quickly dream away the time." (said by Hippolyta)
2. Why has Egeus brought his daughter and her two suitors to Theseus? What does Egeus expect him to do?
Egeus wants Demetirus to marry his daughter Hermia, but Hermia loves Lysander, and wants to marry him. Egeus wants permission from Thesus to kill Hermia if she doesn't obey him.
3. What was the proper role for women/daughters in Athenian society according to Egeus and Theseus? What is Theseus’s ruling concerning Hermia?
The rules are that the daughters and women must do their father of brother's will. Theseus says that instead of death, she could becaome a nun and never see men again.
4. How does Lysander’s comment about Demetrius’s previous love affair with Helena complicate things?
It proves that Demetrius is a cheater and a player. He is untrustworthy, and changes him mind frequently.
5. What do Lysander and Hermia plan to do about this seemingly impossible situation? Why do they tell Helena?
They plan to go to Lysander's aunt's house which is outside of Athen's bounds, to get married where the law will not touch them. They tell Helena, so she knows that Demitrius is free again.
6. Even though Helena loves Demetrius and is Hermia’s best friend, why does she decide to tell Demetrius of Hermia and Lysander’s plans?
Because she thinks in some twisted way, that maybe he will fall in love with her again if she tells him a secret.
7. Identify Hermia’s basic dilemma. What are the choices outlined for her by Theseus and her father? What other choice does Lysander suggest?
Hermia could:
1. Marry Demitriua against her will, and miserable the rest of her life.
2. Die for not obeying her father.
3. Become a nun, and never see men again.
4. According to Lysander, she could run away with him, and get married at his aunt's house, where Athenean law doesn't apply.
Act I, Scene 2 8. Why does Nick Bottom want to play all the parts?
Because he is thinks that he would be very good at all of them. He is also an egoist, so he thinks really highly about himself, meaning that he thinks that he would be great for all the parts.
9. In what way is this scene funny? Why do you suppose Shakespeare included this scene?
The scene is funny because Bottom is so egotistic and thinks that he is the best at everything (when he's really not), and tries to steal the show.
10. Where are the actors to meet the following night? Who else is meeting there at the same time?
In the woods to practice in secret, so that no one else will know what they are doing and steal their ideas.
11. How would you describe Bottom’s acting ability? What is Bottom’s own opinion of his acting ability? I think that Bottom is an enthusiastic actor, but not very good. Bottom however, thinks that he is marvelous at whatever he does, even though sometimes, he doesn't even know what he's supposes to do.
Podcast for Act 1: By: Nava and Mya from block 4
Act II, Scene 1 10. What does the reader find out about the current relationship between Oberon, King of the Fairies, and Titania, Queen of the Fairies, from Puck and the first fairy?
We find out that they have a rocky relationship because they are jealous of each other. They also have arguments about Titania's "child" the changeling (A changeling is part fairy and part mortal.).
11. How have Oberon and Titania been involved in the past with Theseus and Hippolyta; why have they come to Athens?
Oberon has had an affair with Hippolyta, and Titania has had an affair with Thesus! Ironically, they have both come to celebrate the marriage of Theses and Hippolyta, in Athens, so they are staying in the nearby woods.
12. What effect has their quarrel had on nature, on the seasons, on humans?
When the Queen and King of the Fairies argue, they cause the storms and specifically floods that are badly affecting the crops of the humans.
13. Why won’t Titania give up the changeling to Oberon?
Titania is deeply connected to the changeling because it is the only son of one of her best friends/servant. She promised to raise and take care of him, and so she can't give him up to Oberon because of that.
14. What does Oberon send Puck to find? 15. What are Oberon’s plans for Titania? (I've merged the two questions because they are very similar.)
Oberon wants to play a mean trick on Titania-his wife, so he sends his servant Puck to go to a field of purple pansies that have a special quality that makes someone that the juice is poured on fall in love with the next live creature they see. It is true because Oberon says that he say a cupid fire an arrow, but miss, striking the field of white pansies, and turning them purple with love. With these flowers, Oberon plans to put the juice on Titania's eyelids, and make her fall madly in love with some fearsome and grotesque beast.
16. How does Helena react to Demetrius’s verbal abuse?
She brushes it aside, and turns it into something so that it sounds nice, and connects her love with him. It is like when you have a large and nasty storm, and then at the end, there is a rainbow. The storm being Demetrius's insults, and then the rainbow being the nice things that Helena turns is into.
17. What is her response to his threats of physical abuse?
She says that she is willing to be like his Spaniel (a type of dog), and no matter how much he beats her and hurts her, she will still be loyal and loving. That is how powerful her love is for him.
18. In what way is Helena’s behaviour inappropriate for Athenian women?
She is talking back to a man, and deliberately disobeying him, so she could be severely punished, because according to the Athenian law, all women and girls must listen to men because they are superior to them.
19. What does Oberon tell Puck to do about Demetrius and Helena?
The king of fairies tell his loyal servant Puck to find a man in Athenian garb with a girl that he detest, but he loves, and to apply the flower juice to him, so that the first person he sees will be the other girl.
Act II, Scene 2 20. Why does Oberon want Titania to wake and fall in love with some vile thing?
Oberon wants to play a mean trick on Titania for not giving him the changeling, and for not being loyal and nice to him.
21. Why does Hermia insist Lysander sleep a little ways from her?
Hermia loves Lysander very much, and vice versa, but since they are unmarried, she insists that he sleeps a distance away, so she doen't loose her virginity before they are married.
22. Why does Puck anoint Lysander’s eyes?
He sees Lysander in Athenian clothes, and sees another girl lying a distance from him, and so never having seen Demetrius and Helena, assumes that Lysander is Demetrius, and Hermia is Helena, and so decides to annoint Lysander's eyes.
23. How does Helena react to Lysander’s sudden love for her when he awakens?
She thinks that he is making fun of her, and mocking her, to make her miserable.
24. How is Hermia’s dream a reflection of reality?
Hermia dreams that a snake is eating her heart while Lysander stands by and watches, laughing. Hermia's dream and reality that night, are the same, because she loves Lysander, but he left her for Helena, leaving a gaping hole in her heart. When Lysander is laughing in her dream, it is like her reality in the sense that Lysander doesn't even care about her anymore: He hates her!
Act III, Scene 1 25. How are the actors going to keep from scaring the ladies when Pyramus kills himself or when the lion roars?
They are going to write a prologue explaining that these are people, and that they don't actually die,
26. How are the actors going to manage the setting/scenery such as the moonlight and the wall?
Moonlight: There is going to be a full moon, so they will simply open a window.
Wall: They are going to get a man a costume of plaster, and he will be between Pyramus and Thisbe. For the hole that is in the wall, he will create a circle with his first finger and thumb.
27. Why do the rest of the actors run off when Bottom reappears?
When Bottom reappears, he bears the head of an ass.
28. What does Puck plan to do when he follows after the other actors?
When the actors see Bottom, they run for it, and Puck follows too, anxious to create more mayhem, so he makes animal sounds to scare the actors in different directions.
29. How does Bottom react to Titania and the other fairies?
He thinks that that it is very weird what is happening to him, but excepts it in the end.
30. Bottom says, "…reason and love keep little company together nowadays." Why is this such an apt statement at this point in the play?
It is totally relevant to what is happening, because love is being forced, and taken away and switched, with all of the "love juice" that is going on people's eyelids. He is saying that love and reason to love is not coming together tonight.
Act III, Scene 2 31. What does Hermia accuse Demetrius of doing?
When Hermia wakes from her nightmare, and sees that Lysander is gone, she thinks that Demetrius killed him.
32. How are Puck and Oberon going to correct Puck’s earlier mistake?
They are going to apply the love juice to Lysander's eyes (they now know who the different characters are). In order to do that, they are going to get the characters to fall asleep together, by putting a "sleeping fog" over the entire forest. Puck will then chase the four into the same spot.
33. Why is Helena upset when Demetrius says he loves her? Isn’t this what she had wanted all along?
Even though Helena wants Demetrius to love her, she thinks that like Lysander, he is mocking her too.
34. Of what does Helena accuse Hermia?
Helena turns on Hermia and accuses her of asking Lysander to do this to her.
35. How close had Hermia and Helena been in the past?
They have been best friends since they were very young. they have told each other everything, and always been there for each other.
36. How does Lysander treat Hermia? Why can’t she believe what he says?
Lysander says that he hates her, and never wants to see her again! Hermia is crestfallen, and can't understand why, because just a couple hours ago, he loved her very much, and she is also no less fair then she was a while ago.
37. Of what does Hermia accuse Helena?
Of being a painted maypole, and being to tall to be nice, and care for her.
38. Why is Helena afraid of Hermia?
Helena is scared of Hermia, because she says that despite her height, she can still reach her eyes, and scratch them with her nails!
39. What are Lysander and Demetrius going off to do?
They are going off into the woods to battle it out: to fight for who gets Helena for their own.
40. What does Oberon tell Puck to do about the two young men?
Oberon instucts Puck to separate the men by predening to be the other man, then leading them away from each other.
41. What is Oberon going to do about Titania?
Oberon will use his fairy magic and powers to undo the effects of the love juice, because his prank is over, and he is ready to have his wife love him again.
42. Why doesn’t Oberon fear the coming of day?
This midsummer night is when all of the evil spirits and gosts of the dead come out, and they only go at the end of the day, but Oberon isn't scared because he's a fairy, and has powers, so he doesn't need the day to make them go away. He also plans to restore Titania, his wife, back to her regular self, so that she will love him instead.
43. How well does Puck’s trickery work?
Puck is very good at his job for he makes the couple of couples sleep next to each other, each with their loved one.
Bottom's Dream Podcast: By: Nava and Mya Robilliard
Review Question: The climax, or turning point, of A Midsummer Night’s Dream comes at the end of Act 3. In point form describe the major plot points of Act Three starting from when Titania falls in love with Bottom leading to the climax or turning point of the play near the end of act three.
1. Hermia and Demetrius are in a fight about Lysander's hate.
2. Puck realizes the mistake that he made when he applied the love juice.
3. Helena is mad at Lysander for loving her because she thinks that he is mocking her.
4. Lysander and Demetrius both love Helena and hate Hermia.
5. Everybody starts fighting, and the boys go out into the woods to battle it out.
6. Oberon sets a magical cloud on the entire forest that makes everyone fall asleep, while Puck round up the lovers, and gets them to fall asleep next to each other; with each pair side by side and applies love juice to Lysander's eyes, so when he wakes, he will see Hermia.
Act IV, Scene 1 44. How has Bottom adjusted to the attention of Titania and her fairies?
He was confused at first, but now is loving it. He likes being the center of attention, and it is feeding his ego.
45. What is Oberon’s reaction to Titania’s infatuation with Bottom?
Oberon finds it very amusing that Titania has to love a man with the head of an ass, but has had enough, so he decides to put her to her original state.
46. What sort of explanation will Oberon make to Titania’s question about what happened to her?
That she was asleep.
47. Why are Theseus, Hippolyta, Egeus, and the others out in the woods so early in the morning?
They are on a hunt before the wedding.
48. What is Theseus’s first explanation of why the young people are asleep in the woods?
He thinks that they just woke early to see the sunrise, and to observe the right of May.
49. What explanation does Demetrius make? Why does he compare his love for Hermia to an illness?
Demetrius corrects Theseus by telling him about what Helena told him, and how he followed them into the woods. He compares his love for Hermia to a sickness that consumes him to show theseus how much he loves Helena.
50. What is Theseus’s decision concerning the four young people?
Thesus overrides Egeus, and declares a three way wedding! With him and Hippolyta, Demetrius and Helena, and Hermia and Lysander. He sees that they are so happy with each other, and won't live with anyone else, so he unites them.
51. Why can’t the young people be sure whether they are awake or dreaming?
The night was so confusing, and didn't make very much sense from their perspectives, so they dismiss it all as a dream.
52. Bottom believes he too has had a dream. How is he going to use that to entertain the Duke?
Bottom would like to write a prologue, explaining what had happened. He thinks it funny, so he will use it to amuse the duke.
Act IV, Scene 2 53. What opinion do the other artisans now have of Bottom since they think he is lost?
The skilled craftsmen believe Bottom to have a sweet voice and be a wonderful man; a great loss for their play.
54. What do they most regret losing by not being able to perform the play?
They would like to impress Thesus, thier duke, but now they can't, so they are disappointed.
55. Why must the artisans hurry to the Duke’s palace?
They need to hurry to make it in time to preform at the wedding!
Extending the Thought Process a) The fourth act opens and ends with Bottom at center stage. What is your opinion of Bottom’s character? How might he be the antithesis, or opposite, of Theseus’s character?
I think that Bottom is a very egotistic character who thinks very highly of himself, but is mostly wrong about himself. Bottom is always looking for compliments, and good things about him, while Theseus is trying to be noble, and trying to make the best decision possible, so that everyone wins. theseus is also influenced by the people around him, while Bottom is only trying to show off to them. Example: When Egeus comes to Theseus to tell him about Hermia, his reply and options for Hermia are influenced by Hippolyta's presence. When the craftsmen get together to rehearse for their play, Bottom tries to be in charge, telling everyone what to do, and pretending to know everything when he didn't.
b) How do most of the dreamers respond to the dream experience upon waking? Which character is changed permanently by the dream experience?
When Lysander, Hermia, Helena, Demetrius and Bottom all wake up the next morning, they all remember things from the night's events, but dismiss them as dreams. Demetrius however, has had love juice put on his eyes, so he will be permanently affected by it for the rest of his life.
c) In this act, several characters look back at prior infatuations with disbelief. What do you think Shakespeare is saying about love and infatuation?
Shakespeare is telling us how love can be unpredictable, beautiful, and heartbreaking sometimes too. His ways of showing how love and relationships work is still relevant today, and probably was relevant to most people at the time.
Act V 56. Why does Theseus dismiss the stories of the four young people? He sees how much they are in love, and assumes that they were probably really confused.
57. Why does Theseus choose to see the play about Pyramus and Thisby rather than the other entertainments? He wants something funny, that he hasn't seen before, and that he likes.
58. Why does Philostrate try to keep Theseus from seeing the play? What does he say is wrong with it?
Philostrate thinks that the actors are unoragnized, don't know what they are doing and unprofessional.
59. What does Theseus mean by the lines, "For never anything can be amiss, when simpleness and duty tender it"? He is reassuring Philostrate about his choice by telling him that these men have no intention of harm, and are only trying to please him.
60. What is accomplished by having the Prologue tell the whole story that the actors are then going to enact? The prologue is only trying to tell the audience that no one actually dies, and also incase the play is so bad, at least they will have some idea what is going on.
61. How does Shakespeare use comments from the audience to enhance the humour of the play that they are watching? Shakespeare is showing how mean and uncaring and audience can be.
62. What is Hippolyta’s reaction to the play? She is moved by how much Pyramus and Thisbe love each other. She is also kind of skeptical of some of the elements in the play. Example: The actors leave a lot of unanswered questions, and she doesn't understand why they did that.
63. In what way is Thisby’s final speech humorous? Thisbe's final line are funny because she stabs herself, and then tells them good bye, and that Thisbe is no more!
64. What does Oberon tell the fairies to do? Oberon tells all of the fairies to bless the couples, and the house with blessings on the couples children, and good fortunes.
65. What is the purpose of Puck’s final speech? Puck's last lines wrap up everything that we heard in the play.
Extending the thought process: 1.Find at least one example of each of the following that occurs during the play within the play. Write down the quote that illustrates example. excessive alliteration-"With bloody blameful blade, he bravely broached his boiling bloody breast." breaking the play’s illusion of reality-""Decieving me" is Thisbe's cue" using the wrong word or name-"Limander" (instead of Leander) repeating a word excessively-"Now die, die, die, die, die, die." ridiculous metaphor-"These lilly lips."
2. a) In reading the play-within-a-play, we become the audience for the drama played out by Theseus, Hippolyta, and the others. These performers, in turn, form the audience for the reenactment of Pyramus and Thisbe. How does observing another audience help you understand the relationship between audience and performers?You get to see yourself when you see the viewers watching the play within a play. We chat, comment, and gossip about the characters and performance quality of the play. You see the audience doing that too, so I think that Shakespeare was trying to show what nuisances that audience can be.
b) Modern television shows often create comic effects by having a silly, innocent, or “clueless” character and a sarcastic, knowing, clever character play off of each other. What examples can you think of? Example #1: Mooshu and Mulan from Mulan Example #2:Skuttle and Sabastien from The Little Mermaid Example #3: Scooby Doo and Shaggy vs The rest of the gang from Scooby Doo
c) Identify ways in which Pyramus and Thisbe might be unsuitable for a wedding celebration. Are there any ways in which the play might be appropriate? In what ways is the play-within-a-play an ironic commentary on what the two pairs of young lovers (Demetrius and Helena, Lysander and Hermia) have gone through earlier?
The play Pyramus and Thisbe might be a little gory and sad for a happy occasion like a wedding because it is a celebration, and the play is sad and gory. The play could be appropriate however because it is about a pair of lovers. The play-within-a-play showed in the play was ironic to the earlier events that happened to the two couples (Demetrius and helena, Lysander and Hermia) in the sense that they both loved each other, but then got seperated, and united, and it was confusing. Fortunately, the couples didn't die in the end.
A MIdsummer Night's Dream Assignments:
Act I, Scene 1
1. How is Hippolyta’s reasoning concerning how quickly the next four days will pass different from that of Theseus?
Hippolyta says the days will pass fast, Thesus says they will pass slowly. "Four days will quickly steep themselves in night. Four nights shall quickly dream away the time." (said by Hippolyta)
2. Why has Egeus brought his daughter and her two suitors to Theseus? What does Egeus expect him to do?
Egeus wants Demetirus to marry his daughter Hermia, but Hermia loves Lysander, and wants to marry him. Egeus wants permission from Thesus to kill Hermia if she doesn't obey him.
3. What was the proper role for women/daughters in Athenian society according to Egeus and Theseus? What is Theseus’s ruling concerning Hermia?
The rules are that the daughters and women must do their father of brother's will. Theseus says that instead of death, she could becaome a nun and never see men again.
4. How does Lysander’s comment about Demetrius’s previous love affair with Helena complicate things?
It proves that Demetrius is a cheater and a player. He is untrustworthy, and changes him mind frequently.
5. What do Lysander and Hermia plan to do about this seemingly impossible situation? Why do they tell Helena?
They plan to go to Lysander's aunt's house which is outside of Athen's bounds, to get married where the law will not touch them. They tell Helena, so she knows that Demitrius is free again.
6. Even though Helena loves Demetrius and is Hermia’s best friend, why does she decide to tell Demetrius of Hermia and Lysander’s plans?
Because she thinks in some twisted way, that maybe he will fall in love with her again if she tells him a secret.
7. Identify Hermia’s basic dilemma. What are the choices outlined for her by Theseus and her father? What other choice does Lysander suggest?
Hermia could:
1. Marry Demitriua against her will, and miserable the rest of her life.
2. Die for not obeying her father.
3. Become a nun, and never see men again.
4. According to Lysander, she could run away with him, and get married at his aunt's house, where Athenean law doesn't apply.
Act I, Scene 2
8. Why does Nick Bottom want to play all the parts?
Because he is thinks that he would be very good at all of them. He is also an egoist, so he thinks really highly about himself, meaning that he thinks that he would be great for all the parts.
9. In what way is this scene funny? Why do you suppose Shakespeare included this scene?
The scene is funny because Bottom is so egotistic and thinks that he is the best at everything (when he's really not), and tries to steal the show.
10. Where are the actors to meet the following night? Who else is meeting there at the same time?
In the woods to practice in secret, so that no one else will know what they are doing and steal their ideas.
11. How would you describe Bottom’s acting ability? What is Bottom’s own opinion of his acting ability?
I think that Bottom is an enthusiastic actor, but not very good. Bottom however, thinks that he is marvelous at whatever he does, even though sometimes, he doesn't even know what he's supposes to do.
Podcast for Act 1:
By: Nava and Mya from block 4
Act II, Scene 1
10. What does the reader find out about the current relationship between Oberon, King of the Fairies, and Titania, Queen of the Fairies, from Puck and the first fairy?
We find out that they have a rocky relationship because they are jealous of each other. They also have arguments about Titania's "child" the changeling (A changeling is part fairy and part mortal.).
11. How have Oberon and Titania been involved in the past with Theseus and Hippolyta; why have they come to Athens?
Oberon has had an affair with Hippolyta, and Titania has had an affair with Thesus! Ironically, they have both come to celebrate the marriage of Theses and Hippolyta, in Athens, so they are staying in the nearby woods.
12. What effect has their quarrel had on nature, on the seasons, on humans?
When the Queen and King of the Fairies argue, they cause the storms and specifically floods that are badly affecting the crops of the humans.
13. Why won’t Titania give up the changeling to Oberon?
Titania is deeply connected to the changeling because it is the only son of one of her best friends/servant. She promised to raise and take care of him, and so she can't give him up to Oberon because of that.
14. What does Oberon send Puck to find? 15. What are Oberon’s plans for Titania? (I've merged the two questions because they are very similar.)
Oberon wants to play a mean trick on Titania-his wife, so he sends his servant Puck to go to a field of purple pansies that have a special quality that makes someone that the juice is poured on fall in love with the next live creature they see. It is true because Oberon says that he say a cupid fire an arrow, but miss, striking the field of white pansies, and turning them purple with love. With these flowers, Oberon plans to put the juice on Titania's eyelids, and make her fall madly in love with some fearsome and grotesque beast.
16. How does Helena react to Demetrius’s verbal abuse?
She brushes it aside, and turns it into something so that it sounds nice, and connects her love with him. It is like when you have a large and nasty storm, and then at the end, there is a rainbow. The storm being Demetrius's insults, and then the rainbow being the nice things that Helena turns is into.
17. What is her response to his threats of physical abuse?
She says that she is willing to be like his Spaniel (a type of dog), and no matter how much he beats her and hurts her, she will still be loyal and loving. That is how powerful her love is for him.
18. In what way is Helena’s behaviour inappropriate for Athenian women?
She is talking back to a man, and deliberately disobeying him, so she could be severely punished, because according to the Athenian law, all women and girls must listen to men because they are superior to them.
19. What does Oberon tell Puck to do about Demetrius and Helena?
The king of fairies tell his loyal servant Puck to find a man in Athenian garb with a girl that he detest, but he loves, and to apply the flower juice to him, so that the first person he sees will be the other girl.
Act II, Scene 2
20. Why does Oberon want Titania to wake and fall in love with some vile thing?
Oberon wants to play a mean trick on Titania for not giving him the changeling, and for not being loyal and nice to him.
21. Why does Hermia insist Lysander sleep a little ways from her?
Hermia loves Lysander very much, and vice versa, but since they are unmarried, she insists that he sleeps a distance away, so she doen't loose her virginity before they are married.
22. Why does Puck anoint Lysander’s eyes?
He sees Lysander in Athenian clothes, and sees another girl lying a distance from him, and so never having seen Demetrius and Helena, assumes that Lysander is Demetrius, and Hermia is Helena, and so decides to annoint Lysander's eyes.
23. How does Helena react to Lysander’s sudden love for her when he awakens?
She thinks that he is making fun of her, and mocking her, to make her miserable.
24. How is Hermia’s dream a reflection of reality?
Hermia dreams that a snake is eating her heart while Lysander stands by and watches, laughing. Hermia's dream and reality that night, are the same, because she loves Lysander, but he left her for Helena, leaving a gaping hole in her heart. When Lysander is laughing in her dream, it is like her reality in the sense that Lysander doesn't even care about her anymore: He hates her!
Act III, Scene 1
25. How are the actors going to keep from scaring the ladies when Pyramus kills himself or when the lion roars?
They are going to write a prologue explaining that these are people, and that they don't actually die,
26. How are the actors going to manage the setting/scenery such as the moonlight and the wall?
Moonlight: There is going to be a full moon, so they will simply open a window.
Wall: They are going to get a man a costume of plaster, and he will be between Pyramus and Thisbe. For the hole that is in the wall, he will create a circle with his first finger and thumb.
27. Why do the rest of the actors run off when Bottom reappears?
When Bottom reappears, he bears the head of an ass.
28. What does Puck plan to do when he follows after the other actors?
When the actors see Bottom, they run for it, and Puck follows too, anxious to create more mayhem, so he makes animal sounds to scare the actors in different directions.
29. How does Bottom react to Titania and the other fairies?
He thinks that that it is very weird what is happening to him, but excepts it in the end.
30. Bottom says, "…reason and love keep little company together nowadays." Why is this such an apt statement at this point in the play?
It is totally relevant to what is happening, because love is being forced, and taken away and switched, with all of the "love juice" that is going on people's eyelids. He is saying that love and reason to love is not coming together tonight.
Act III, Scene 2
31. What does Hermia accuse Demetrius of doing?
When Hermia wakes from her nightmare, and sees that Lysander is gone, she thinks that Demetrius killed him.
32. How are Puck and Oberon going to correct Puck’s earlier mistake?
They are going to apply the love juice to Lysander's eyes (they now know who the different characters are). In order to do that, they are going to get the characters to fall asleep together, by putting a "sleeping fog" over the entire forest. Puck will then chase the four into the same spot.
33. Why is Helena upset when Demetrius says he loves her? Isn’t this what she had wanted all along?
Even though Helena wants Demetrius to love her, she thinks that like Lysander, he is mocking her too.
34. Of what does Helena accuse Hermia?
Helena turns on Hermia and accuses her of asking Lysander to do this to her.
35. How close had Hermia and Helena been in the past?
They have been best friends since they were very young. they have told each other everything, and always been there for each other.
36. How does Lysander treat Hermia? Why can’t she believe what he says?
Lysander says that he hates her, and never wants to see her again! Hermia is crestfallen, and can't understand why, because just a couple hours ago, he loved her very much, and she is also no less fair then she was a while ago.
37. Of what does Hermia accuse Helena?
Of being a painted maypole, and being to tall to be nice, and care for her.
38. Why is Helena afraid of Hermia?
Helena is scared of Hermia, because she says that despite her height, she can still reach her eyes, and scratch them with her nails!
39. What are Lysander and Demetrius going off to do?
They are going off into the woods to battle it out: to fight for who gets Helena for their own.
40. What does Oberon tell Puck to do about the two young men?
Oberon instucts Puck to separate the men by predening to be the other man, then leading them away from each other.
41. What is Oberon going to do about Titania?
Oberon will use his fairy magic and powers to undo the effects of the love juice, because his prank is over, and he is ready to have his wife love him again.
42. Why doesn’t Oberon fear the coming of day?
This midsummer night is when all of the evil spirits and gosts of the dead come out, and they only go at the end of the day, but Oberon isn't scared because he's a fairy, and has powers, so he doesn't need the day to make them go away. He also plans to restore Titania, his wife, back to her regular self, so that she will love him instead.
43. How well does Puck’s trickery work?
Puck is very good at his job for he makes the couple of couples sleep next to each other, each with their loved one.
Bottom's Dream Podcast:
By: Nava and Mya Robilliard
Review Question: The climax, or turning point, of A Midsummer Night’s Dream comes at the end of Act 3. In point form describe the major plot points of Act Three starting from when Titania falls in love with Bottom leading to the climax or turning point of the play near the end of act three.
1. Hermia and Demetrius are in a fight about Lysander's hate.
2. Puck realizes the mistake that he made when he applied the love juice.
3. Helena is mad at Lysander for loving her because she thinks that he is mocking her.
4. Lysander and Demetrius both love Helena and hate Hermia.
5. Everybody starts fighting, and the boys go out into the woods to battle it out.
6. Oberon sets a magical cloud on the entire forest that makes everyone fall asleep, while Puck round up the lovers, and gets them to fall asleep next to each other; with each pair side by side and applies love juice to Lysander's eyes, so when he wakes, he will see Hermia.
Act IV, Scene 1
44. How has Bottom adjusted to the attention of Titania and her fairies?
He was confused at first, but now is loving it. He likes being the center of attention, and it is feeding his ego.
45. What is Oberon’s reaction to Titania’s infatuation with Bottom?
Oberon finds it very amusing that Titania has to love a man with the head of an ass, but has had enough, so he decides to put her to her original state.
46. What sort of explanation will Oberon make to Titania’s question about what happened to her?
That she was asleep.
47. Why are Theseus, Hippolyta, Egeus, and the others out in the woods so early in the morning?
They are on a hunt before the wedding.
48. What is Theseus’s first explanation of why the young people are asleep in the woods?
He thinks that they just woke early to see the sunrise, and to observe the right of May.
49. What explanation does Demetrius make? Why does he compare his love for Hermia to an illness?
Demetrius corrects Theseus by telling him about what Helena told him, and how he followed them into the woods. He compares his love for Hermia to a sickness that consumes him to show theseus how much he loves Helena.
50. What is Theseus’s decision concerning the four young people?
Thesus overrides Egeus, and declares a three way wedding! With him and Hippolyta, Demetrius and Helena, and Hermia and Lysander. He sees that they are so happy with each other, and won't live with anyone else, so he unites them.
51. Why can’t the young people be sure whether they are awake or dreaming?
The night was so confusing, and didn't make very much sense from their perspectives, so they dismiss it all as a dream.
52. Bottom believes he too has had a dream. How is he going to use that to entertain the Duke?
Bottom would like to write a prologue, explaining what had happened. He thinks it funny, so he will use it to amuse the duke.
Act IV, Scene 2
53. What opinion do the other artisans now have of Bottom since they think he is lost?
The skilled craftsmen believe Bottom to have a sweet voice and be a wonderful man; a great loss for their play.
54. What do they most regret losing by not being able to perform the play?
They would like to impress Thesus, thier duke, but now they can't, so they are disappointed.
55. Why must the artisans hurry to the Duke’s palace?
They need to hurry to make it in time to preform at the wedding!
Extending the Thought Processa) The fourth act opens and ends with Bottom at center stage. What is your opinion of Bottom’s character? How might he be the antithesis, or opposite, of Theseus’s character?
I think that Bottom is a very egotistic character who thinks very highly of himself, but is mostly wrong about himself. Bottom is always looking for compliments, and good things about him, while Theseus is trying to be noble, and trying to make the best decision possible, so that everyone wins. theseus is also influenced by the people around him, while Bottom is only trying to show off to them. Example: When Egeus comes to Theseus to tell him about Hermia, his reply and options for Hermia are influenced by Hippolyta's presence. When the craftsmen get together to rehearse for their play, Bottom tries to be in charge, telling everyone what to do, and pretending to know everything when he didn't.
b) How do most of the dreamers respond to the dream experience upon waking? Which character is changed permanently by the dream experience?
When Lysander, Hermia, Helena, Demetrius and Bottom all wake up the next morning, they all remember things from the night's events, but dismiss them as dreams. Demetrius however, has had love juice put on his eyes, so he will be permanently affected by it for the rest of his life.
c) In this act, several characters look back at prior infatuations with disbelief. What do you think Shakespeare is saying about love and infatuation?
Shakespeare is telling us how love can be unpredictable, beautiful, and heartbreaking sometimes too. His ways of showing how love and relationships work is still relevant today, and probably was relevant to most people at the time.
56. Why does Theseus dismiss the stories of the four young people?
He sees how much they are in love, and assumes that they were probably really confused.
57. Why does Theseus choose to see the play about Pyramus and Thisby rather than the other entertainments?
He wants something funny, that he hasn't seen before, and that he likes.
58. Why does Philostrate try to keep Theseus from seeing the play? What does he say is wrong with it?
Philostrate thinks that the actors are unoragnized, don't know what they are doing and unprofessional.
59. What does Theseus mean by the lines, "For never anything can be amiss, when simpleness and duty tender it"?
He is reassuring Philostrate about his choice by telling him that these men have no intention of harm, and are only trying to please him.
60. What is accomplished by having the Prologue tell the whole story that the actors are then going to enact?
The prologue is only trying to tell the audience that no one actually dies, and also incase the play is so bad, at least they will have some idea what is going on.
61. How does Shakespeare use comments from the audience to enhance the humour of the play that they are watching?
Shakespeare is showing how mean and uncaring and audience can be.
62. What is Hippolyta’s reaction to the play?
She is moved by how much Pyramus and Thisbe love each other. She is also kind of skeptical of some of the elements in the play. Example: The actors leave a lot of unanswered questions, and she doesn't understand why they did that.
63. In what way is Thisby’s final speech humorous?
Thisbe's final line are funny because she stabs herself, and then tells them good bye, and that Thisbe is no more!
64. What does Oberon tell the fairies to do?
Oberon tells all of the fairies to bless the couples, and the house with blessings on the couples children, and good fortunes.
65. What is the purpose of Puck’s final speech?
Puck's last lines wrap up everything that we heard in the play.
Extending the thought process:
1.Find at least one example of each of the following that occurs during the play within the play. Write down the quote that illustrates example.
excessive alliteration-"With bloody blameful blade, he bravely broached his boiling bloody breast."
breaking the play’s illusion of reality-""Decieving me" is Thisbe's cue"
using the wrong word or name-"Limander" (instead of Leander)
repeating a word excessively-"Now die, die, die, die, die, die."
ridiculous metaphor-"These lilly lips."
2.
a) In reading the play-within-a-play, we become the audience for the drama played out by Theseus, Hippolyta, and the others. These performers, in turn, form the audience for the reenactment of Pyramus and Thisbe. How does observing another audience help you understand the relationship between audience and performers?You get to see yourself when you see the viewers watching the play within a play. We chat, comment, and gossip about the characters and performance quality of the play. You see the audience doing that too, so I think that Shakespeare was trying to show what nuisances that audience can be.
b) Modern television shows often create comic effects by having a silly, innocent, or “clueless” character and a sarcastic, knowing, clever character play off of each other. What examples can you think of?
Example #1: Mooshu and Mulan from Mulan
Example #2:Skuttle and Sabastien from The Little Mermaid
Example #3: Scooby Doo and Shaggy vs The rest of the gang from Scooby Doo
c) Identify ways in which Pyramus and Thisbe might be unsuitable for a wedding celebration. Are there any ways in which the play might be appropriate? In what ways is the play-within-a-play an ironic commentary on what the two pairs of young lovers (Demetrius and Helena, Lysander and Hermia) have gone through earlier?
The play Pyramus and Thisbe might be a little gory and sad for a happy occasion like a wedding because it is a celebration, and the play is sad and gory. The play could be appropriate however because it is about a pair of lovers. The play-within-a-play showed in the play was ironic to the earlier events that happened to the two couples (Demetrius and helena, Lysander and Hermia) in the sense that they both loved each other, but then got seperated, and united, and it was confusing. Fortunately, the couples didn't die in the end.
COmpletion 25/25
Effort 23/25
Content 23/25
Total 71/75
Podcast 1 - 20/20
Podcast 2 - 20/20